TEENAGER Tony Whealing could be a surprise contender for a place in Blackburn Rovers' line-up at some stage of their festive campaign.

With Graeme Le Saux having joined the long-term casualty list and a two-match suspension looming for Colin Hendry next weekend, Rovers boss Ray Harford admitted Whealing could figure in the squad for part of the Christmas and New Year rush.

The 19-year-old left back, a regular in the reserves this season, has yet to make his first-team bow.

But he was on the substitutes' bench for the Champions' League games against Spartak Moscow (away) and Rosenborg (home).

Rovers do have Nicky Marker available to replace Hendry and young central defenders such as Adam Reed and Graham Coughlan. And Harford knows that he can rely on the versatility of players like Henning Berg, Jeff Kenna and Chris Coleman.

But left back could still be a problem spot, with Hendry's imminent absence and Coleman's preferred position being the centre of defence.

The manager was keeping his plans to replace Le Saux for this afternoon's game against Wimbledon closely guarded. But he pointed out: "Chris Coleman has played there, so too have Henning Berg and Jeff Kenna.

"But young Tony Whealing might well come into contention at some stage of the Christmas and New Year programme.

"He's been doing well in the reserves." The Football Association have now confirmed the anticipated suspensions on a trio of troubled Rovers players.

Kevin Gallacher misses three games, starting from Boxing Day, while Hendry and skipper Tim Sherwood have been banned for two apiece, the Spurs and Leeds matches. I would expect Harford to opt for experience to cover for Hendry's loss.

But, even if Whealing is only included in the squad, the experience will do him good.

Meanwhile, Gallacher's ban is a big blow to the Scot who might have had a chance of forcing his way back into the side over the Christmas and New Year spell of four games in 10 days. It's even more galling in view of the fact that his ban was for being sent off in a reserve game - for fighting! Yet only first team matches count towards the suspension.

And he revealed that it was the first time he had been sent off in his career.

The Ewood ticket office was closing at 12.30pm today and re-opens on Boxing Day at 3pm, selling tickets for the next two home games against Manchester City and Spurs.

Also on open sale from Tuesday will be tickets for the away games at Leeds and Ipswich.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.